Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 10.18.24
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesThe Supreme Lord Enjoys Loving Friendship
“Defeated, the Supreme Lord Kṛṣṇa carried Śrīdāmā. Bhadrasena carried Vṛṣabha, and Pralamba carried Balarāma, the son of Rohiṇī.”
What the purport teaches
- Defeated in play, Kṛṣṇa carried Śrīdāmā. Bhadrasena carried Vṛṣabha, and Pralamba carried Balarāma, the son of Rohiṇī.
- Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, yet in His original form He has a most playful nature. He sometimes enjoys submitting to His loving friends’ strength or desire.
- Such acts of love give pleasure to everyone involved, like a father playfully falling before his little child. Śrīdāmā rode on Kṛṣṇa’s shoulders to please his beloved friend.
Try this today
Before one act of devotional service today, pause and make pleasing Kṛṣṇa your intention.
Ask yourself
How does Śrīdāmā’s wish to please Kṛṣṇa deepen my understanding of devotional service?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
From Canto 10, chapter 14 onward, the translation and purports were completed by Śrīla Prabhupāda's disciples after his departure, and published by the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust.